Don't Cosplay with My Heart

Gr 7 Up—Edan Kupferman, self-described nerd is thrilled that her favorite comic book, Team Tomorrow, is about to be turned into a movie. Unfortunately, her dad is dealing with a not-so-small legal problem and putting everyone on edge. Edan makes the best of the situation by donning a mask and learning how to cosplay, even starting a club at school with her lesbian best friend Kasumi. As she navigates the world of geekdom, she encounters male figures who put her down as fake or not nerdy enough. Castelluci writes that, "everyone is a nerd about something," because everyone has something they're passionate about. Edan looks to her favorite character Gargantua for empowerment, imagining herself, like her hero, growing in size in times of conflict. She hides behind her mask and struggles with her feelings, not just about her father but about two guys she is torn between. This contemporary coming-of-age novel appropriate for younger YA readers is filled with all things nerd: cosplay, comics, and conventions. Short chapters interspersed with information on Team Tomorrow make this a quick pick and good choice for reluctant readers. Characters are fully formed with unique identities and Edan undergoes tremendous growth. The plot is at times heavy-handed with obvious foreshadowing leading to an unsurprising but satisfying conclusion. For those who enjoyed Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde or Geekerella by Ashley Poston.